instinctive
adjective
in·stinc·tive
in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv 
1
: of, relating to, or being instinct
2
: prompted by natural instinct or propensity : arising spontaneously
an instinctive fear of innovation—
V. L. Parrington
V. L. Parrington
instinctively
adverb
Examples of instinctive in a Sentence
Cats have an instinctive desire to hunt.
the instinctive reaction of a mother is to protect her children
Recent Examples on the Web
Instead, Agyemang answered with the kind of instinctive finishing that had abandoned Charlotte during its skid.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 25 May 2025
Intuition might tell you that attraction is a quick, instinctive reaction.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
Ariane’s first instinctive reaction to her mother’s extended hand is to flinch.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 23 May 2025
Witt snared the line drive and made an instinctive play, tossing the baseball to third baseman Maikel Garcia.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for instinctive
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Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 25 May 2025
Intuition might tell you that attraction is a quick, instinctive reaction.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
Ariane’s first instinctive reaction to her mother’s extended hand is to flinch.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 23 May 2025
Witt snared the line drive and made an instinctive play, tossing the baseball to third baseman Maikel Garcia.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for instinctive
Cite this Entry
“Instinctive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instinctive. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instinctive
adjective
in·stinc·tive
in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv
1
: of, relating to, or being instinct
2
: resulting from or caused by instinct
instinctively
adverb
Medical Definition
instinctive
adjective
in·stinc·tive
in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv
1
: of, relating to, or being instinct
2
: derived from or prompted by instinct
an instinctive fear
instinctively
adverb
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